Full Breakdown
Pete Crow-Armstrong Joins MLB’s Exclusive 40-40 Club
By Drooid · · How we work
The Milestone Game
On September 24, 2026, Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong stole his 40th base of the season against the Miami Marlins, completing a 40-40 season (40 home runs and 40 stolen bases). He becomes the seventh player in MLB history to reach the club, joining José Canseco, Barry Bonds, Alex Rodríguez, Alfonso Soriano, Ronald Acuña Jr. and Shohei Ohtani, and the first Cub ever.
Historical Context
The 40-40 club has been reached only seven times since 1988. Three of the six previous members earned NL MVP honors in the same season. The rarity reflects the difficulty of pairing elite power with elite speed; several members are linked to performance-enhancing drug controversies.
Season Statistics and League Rankings
- Batting line: .280/.374/.577 (OPS .951)
- Home runs: 45 (tied for MLB lead)
- Runs scored: 118 (MLB leader)
- RBIs: 107 (fourth)
- Total bases: 351 (MLB leader)
- Stolen bases: 40 (career high)
- WAR: 9.8 (CBS Sports) / 9.6 (NBC Chicago), top of the majors
Crow-Armstrong also leads the NL in slugging, OPS and runs, and tops the majors in total bases. His defensive metrics rank first in fielding run value and outs above average.
Official Statements from Cubs Leadership
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer called the achievement “super cool.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell praised the season as “really incredible,” noting the milestone caps a year of consistent production.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I always know that I’m going to turn it on at some point, but I’m proud of how I did this year,” — Pete Crow-Armstrong
- “Everything Pete has done this year has been really incredible,” — Craig Counsell
Impact on MVP Race and Playoff Outlook
Crow-Armstrong entered the final weeks of the 2026 season as the leading NL MVP candidate. His dominance across hitting, baserunning and defense strengthens his case. The Cubs, near the Wild Card line with six games left, view his performance as a catalyst for a postseason push.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- WAR figures: CBS Sports lists 9.8, NBC Chicago 9.6. Both agree he leads the majors.
What’s Next
The Cubs finish the regular season against the Boston Red Sox, then the Wild Card round if they qualify. Crow-Armstrong’s MVP candidacy will be evaluated after the season ends.